Not offered 2007-2008
GEOS 404T Geology of the Appalachians (W)
The Appalachians are the eroded remnants of a mountain range that once rivaled the Alps and, perhaps, the Himalayas in elevation. They formed hundreds of millions of years ago in
three distinct collisions with other continents. The Appalachians record a rich geologic
history of continental rifting, formation and closing of ocean basins, continental collision,
and mountain building. We will read papers that describe the history of the Appalachians
beginning with the Late Precambrian opening of the Iapetus ocean, through the Paleozoic
orogenies that formed the Appalachians, and ending with the formation of the Atlantic. The
history of the Appalachians remains controversial, in part, because of diverse perspectives
that geologists bring to their work and interpretations, such as different specialties, guiding
paradigms, and field areas. The readings are designed to illuminate the roots of the
important controversies as well as the geologic history of this well studied mountain belt.
Format: tutorial; after an initial group meeting, students will meet in pairs for one hour each
week with the instructor. Each student will orally present a written paper every other week
for criticism during the tutorial session. Evaluation will be based on the five papers and each
student's effectiveness as a critic.
Prerequisites: one upper level Geosciences course. Enrollment limit: 10 (expected: 10).
KARABINOS